The Geology of Burma - Zomi Online Library

Bibliography of Burman Earth Science
Economy
Burma is one of the poorest nations in southeastern Asia, suffering from decades
of stagnation, mismanagement and isolation. Burma's GDP grows at an average rate of
2.9% annually – the lowest rate of economic growth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing together constitute the largest contributor to
Burma’s economy. About half of all agricultural land in Burma is devoted to rice, and to
increase production the government has promoted multiple cropping (sequential
cultivation of two or more crops on a single piece of land in a single year), a system that
is easily supported by the country’s climate. As a whole, the sector accounts for nearly
one-half of the country’s gross domestic product and employs about two-thirds of the
labor force.
The second most important element in the diet, after rice, is fish, either fresh fish
or in the form of ngapi, a sort of nutritional paste that is prepared in a variety of ways and
eaten as a condiment. Marine fisheries are not well developed, although the industry’s
reported commercial catch is much greater than that reported from inland waters. Much
private, noncommercial fishing is provided, however, in virtually every type of
permanent, seasonal, or artificial body of inland water of any size. Non-indigenous fish,
including the European carp and the tilapia, originally brought from Thailand, have
become the focus of a growing aquaculture industry.
Under British administration and until the early 1960s, Burma was the wealthiest
country in Southeast Asia. It was once the world's largest exporter of rice. After Burma
was officially annexed to British India in 1886, however, colonial policy called for a
more commercially oriented and more extensive cultivation of rice. Since the indigenous
labor force was thought to be insufficient to support the colonial export economy, the
immigration of Indian and Chinese laborers into Burma was officially encouraged during
the early decades of the 20th century. Despite the departure of much of the immigrant
labor force and the relatively low growth in rice production after World War II, rice
remained both the basic food and, until the 1990s (when it was overtaken by dry beans),
the principal agricultural export of Burma.
Also during the British administration, Burma supplied oil through the Burmah
Oil Company. Burma also had a wealth of natural and labor resources. It produced 75%
of the world's teak and had a highly literate population. The country was believed to be
on the fast track to development.
After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu
attempted to make Burma a welfare state. His administration adopted the Two-Year
Economic Development Plan, which was a failure. The 1962 coup d’état was followed by
an economic scheme called the “Burmese Way to Socialism”, a plan to nationalize all
industries, with the exception of agriculture. In 1989, the Burmese government began
decentralizing economic control. It has since liberalized certain sectors of the economy,
although lucrative industries of gems, oil and forestry remain heavily regulated. These
industries have recently been exploited by foreign corporations and governments which
have partnered with the local government to gain access to Burma's natural resources.
The major occupations in Burma are in agricultural processing; wood and wood
products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals;
fertilizer; natural gas; garments, jade and gems. The labor force in 2001 was 70% in
agriculture; 7% in industry and 23% in services.
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